Court Frees Bright Matonga as State Fails to Present Trial Date
CHEGUTU– Former Deputy Minister of Information Bright Matonga has been released from remand after the court ruled that the State failed to provide a trial date within a reasonable timeframe.
His freedom follows two cases involving allegations of theft of farming equipment and vandalism of electrical transformers.
Chegutu magistrate Evelyn Mashawakure dismissed the charges after prosecutors failed to present a trial date.
In the theft case, the complainant, Mr. Van Breda, along with the arresting officers, were unavailable for proceedings, leading to delays.
Similarly, the alleged vandalism of Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) transformers remained unresolved for nearly a year, as the complainant—a fellow farmer—failed to appear before the court.
According to The Herald, Matonga’s lawyer, Mr. Innocent Muchini of Muchini and Associates, confirmed that his client had been reimbursed his bail money and was no longer required to report to the police.
However, the State retains the right to issue a summons should it decide to pursue the charges.
The prosecution was led by Mr. Tafadzwa Vhore.
